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[tOnYoYo]

Sooo... Basically I've spent ages searching for an answer but have failed 

Here's the run down:
My battery is draining like a bugger. The battery is less than a year old.

On Saturday I jumped the car and took it for a 30 min drive. After which it was capable of starting itself.

I parked it up and by 2pm on Sunday it was dead as a dead thing. So I put on some latex gloves and ripped the power sounder out--as per suggestion.

I then took it on exactly the same 30 min route. Again it was capable of starting itself.

Monday evening it was fine. Stated easy.

Today? Dead as. And the power sounder is in my kitchen, in pieces, and looks like new! Or at least it did prior to Mr Junior Hacksaw.

What is the next likely candidate? Where should I start looking..?


Thanks guys!

[VXL V6]

Sure it's not a dead cell in the battery?

Have you metered out as per the guide on here...

[tOnYoYo]

I don't really know what that means! 

But if you are asking if I'm sure the battery is not knackered already, my answer is: No. I'm not sure. 

Guess I'll have to borrow a tool of some sort... 

[Entwood]

Have a read here ... might help a fair bit ..

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90619.0

If you don't have/know how to use a multimeter then you might have problems .. or need to learn a new skill PDQ .

[tidla]

Most car spares shops have a battery drop tester or the modern equivalent..

Charge the battery up on a bench charger if you have one and get it tested.

Good place to start once and saves you chasing your tail.

[Bigron]

I hate to mention Ebay, but they are good for some things and in this case you can get a more than adequate multimeter for around £3, including postage!
Use it, follow the guide as suggested and report back with your findings if you need more help; happy to oblige if you do.

Ron.

[Andy B]

...
Where should I start looking..?


Thanks guys!

Take the car to a proper auto spark and get the battery drop tested 

[05omegav6]

Related question... Should the battery fizz/bubble whilst charging? Is it worth topping it up with distilled water and popping it back on charge

[Bigron]

The "fizzing" is an indication of completed charge. A discharged battery will convert charging energy into stored chemical energy, converting lead sulphate into lead oxide (my chemistry is only approximate!) and when all conversion has taken place, the energy that you continue to provide goes into splitting the water content in the electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen and heat - hence the gassing. This is the point at which you stop charging as the electrolyte becomes too acidic and the heat damages the plates of the battery.
The so-called "smart" chargers have supervisory circuits which drop their output voltage down to a lower level to maintain full charge but no gassing, but as you would expect, they are dearer than basic chargers.

Ron.

[zirk]

Obvious I know, but if you're taking your Battery to be drop tested, fully charge it first and then leave it somewhere cold overnight before having it tested. 

Sick and tired of hearing people being sold a new Battery, because the Shop / Tester checked it half charged. 

[05omegav6]

The "fizzing" is an indication of completed charge. A discharged battery will convert charging energy into stored chemical energy, converting lead sulphate into lead oxide (my chemistry is only approximate!) and when all conversion has taken place, the energy that you continue to provide goes into splitting the water content in the electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen and heat - hence the gassing. This is the point at which you stop charging as the electrolyte becomes too acidic and the heat damages the plates of the battery.
The so-called "smart" chargers have supervisory circuits which drop their output voltage down to a lower level to maintain full charge but no gassing, but as you would expect, they are dearer than basic chargers.

Ron.

My charger is a reasonably intelligent one... shall top the electrolyte up and try again...

[tOnYoYo]

Thanks to everyone for your replies   

Here's where I'm at...

Tonight I borrowed a multimeter and checked the voltage. Since I opened this post it has dropped to 7.7v

I jumped it and drove to Halfords because I had to return an item, and they said they can do a test on it. When the guy tested it the battery was at 12.2v (from a three min drive!) but the testing device claimed the battery was buggered--something to do with amazingly low Amps, I don't know.

They recommended that I chase the manufacturer as it has a three year guarantee and it's only been in the car a year. They even offered to take my battery once a week and charge it for me (for free!) since I don't drive the car much and don't own a charger.

What I'm going to do now it's chase the manufacturer (or Green Flag) and see if I can get a free replacement. Then watch the voltage more closely!

As a side note: The power sounder has two batteries and both are at 3.91v... Does this mean that it's fine and can be put back together and refitted to the car?

[cjackel492]

Related question... Should the battery fizz/bubble whilst charging? Is it worth topping it up with distilled water and popping it back on charge

This can also indicate over charging which can kill batteries.

What voltage do you get on the battery while the engine is running?

13.8V - 14.2V is normal, upto 14.4V during the cold months is fine.

Carl,

[zirk]

Thanks to everyone for your replies   

Here's where I'm at...

Tonight I borrowed a multimeter and checked the voltage. Since I opened this post it has dropped to 7.7v

I jumped it and drove to Halfords because I had to return an item, and they said they can do a test on it. When the guy tested it the battery was at 12.2v (from a three min drive!) but the testing device claimed the battery was buggered--something to do with amazingly low Amps, I don't know.

They recommended that I chase the manufacturer as it has a three year guarantee and it's only been in the car a year. They even offered to take my battery once a week and charge it for me (for free!) since I don't drive the car much and don't own a charger.

What I'm going to do now it's chase the manufacturer (or Green Flag) and see if I can get a free replacement. Then watch the voltage more closely!

As a side note: The power sounder has two batteries and both are at 3.91v... Does this mean that it's fine and can be put back together and refitted to the car?

Advice here is remove it and leave it removed, there are horror stories of them catching alight and setting the car on fire, as a few Omega Members have experienced, and a Vectra formated to black rubble just down the road from me. 

[Magwheels]

[/quote]
Advice here is remove it and leave it removed
[/quote]